Close Games: Over the first 5 weeks of the season (20 games) no game was decided by less than 5 points. Since then 6 of the last 12 games have had margins of 4 points or less. Over the past two weeks, 5 games have been decided by 4 points or less including both BC games.

In 2013, 14 of the 32 games have been decided in the final 3:00 of play. In the 3-point game between Saskatchewan and Edmonton last week, the lead changed hands 7 times, far above the average of around 1 or 2 per game (1.5 per game: 47 lead changes in 32 games).

The last time that a CFL game had as many as 7 lead changes was on October 3, 2008 in Saskatchewan’s 37-34 win over Calgary.

Two Teams on the Rise: Hamilton is riding a 3-game winning streak and can make it 4 in a row for the first time since 2010 and only the second time in the 15 years since August 1998. They will be trying to post 3-straight road wins for just the second time since 2000. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, is having an historic season thus far having reached 7-1 for the first time since 1970 and second time ever. With a win over Winnipeg this week, they would reach 8-1 for the first time in club history.

50-yard field goals? This season in the CFL there has been just one field goal attempted from 50+ yards through Week 9 and only 14 from 45+ yards. Trying from 50+ has been in decline for some time, however, as there were only 13 attempts from 50+ taken in 2012 and 21 in 2011. It has been 48 years since the last CFL season in which there were no field goals made from 50 yards and beyond (1965). Here’s a look at the average length of FGs attempted by year:

2013: 30.3 yards 2012: 33.0 yards 2011: 33.4 yards

Tanner Marsh’s Rare 300-yard game: The rookie Alouettes QB did what few players have ever done – come off the bench and throw for 300 yards. Despite throwing 4 interceptions, Marsh led Montreal to a comeback win over BC with 329 yards and a TD pass.

He is the first CFL QB to not start a game but throw for 300+ yards since Jarious Jackson had 362 and 4 TDs in a 40-22 win over Edmonton on July 16, 2009.

The last one before that was Marcus Crandell on August 4, 2005 for Saskatchewan with 303 yards off the bench in a 42-13 loss at Montreal.

QB Debuts: In 2013, 5 players have already made their first CFL start at quarterback: Justin Goltz and Bo Levi Mitchell together on Jul 26, Zach Collaros for Toronto on Jul 30, Max Hall for Winnipeg on Aug 16, and Josh Neiswander last week vs. BC.

The case can be made to add Tanner Marsh who subbed in early for Neiswander. Marsh can make it six this year if he starts this week, compared to just 4 new starters in total over 2011 & 2012. Only 3 clubs have had the same QB starter for all 8 games (Travis Lulay, Henry Burris, Mike Reilly).

The Field Goal Trend: Chris Milo has yet to miss a FG attempt this season (21 in a row) and is part of the historically best-ever success rate by CFL kickers. They have made 141 of 168 attempts for an 84% mark, 2% better than the 82% in 2011. A big part of that however is that just one attempt has been tried from 50+ yards or more in 2013.

Scoring Up in 2013: The 32 games in 2013 have produced an average of 54.0 points, up 4% over last year’s 51.8 points-per-game, with TD passes accounting for much more of the scoring. In 2009, passing TDs were only 51% of the major scores (188 of 367 total touchdowns) while in 2013 they have accounted for 61% of all TDs thus far (108 of 176).

Interceptions/Completions: In 2013 there have been just 52 interceptions in 2,051 pass attempts or one in every 39.4 throws. The long-term rate going back to 1954 is one in every 21 attempts. Tied to that is the CFL’s 2013 average completion percentage of 64.7%, the highest in league history. Toronto’s 75.7% mark is on pace to break the CFL record of 71.6% (MTL 2009). Saskatchewan and Toronto have each posted 8-game runs without an interception (the Argos’ dated back to 2012) with the Riders’ run still active. Those are the longest streaks without any in CFL history.

Interceptions II: No CFL defender has more than two thus far and defensive backs have accounted for only 31 of the 52 (By DB: 31, By LB: 16, By Other: 4). Two clubs (EDM & TOR) are on pace for their lowest ever total of 9 in one year while Hamilton and Winnipeg are on track for just 11, one more than their historic lowest totals of 10.

Roster Moves:

The Argonauts will venture into their important two-game set with the Alouettes sans Ricky Ray, as the veteran QB will miss 4-8 weeks with an injury to his throwing shoulder. Zach Collaros will start in his place.

In Montreal, the Alouettes have yet to make an announcement regarding their quarterback situation. Anthony Calvillo did not practice on Thursday and won’t practice on Friday.

Should he be unable to go, Tanner Marsh will make his first CFL start under centre.

After leaving last week’s game late, Kevin Glenn appears to be OK for the Stamps, meaning he’ll be behind centre when Calgary welcomes the Eskimos.

Receiver Maurice Price likely won’t play in the Classic, but should be good to go for the rematch one week later.

The Bombers, meanwhile, will have newly-acquired defensive end Greg Peach in the lineup when they take on the Riders. Peach was signed by Winnipeg on Thursday after being released on Wednesday.

Sticking with Winnipeg, the Bombers haven’t made a formal announcement, but it looks as though Justin Goltz will get the start at QB, with Max Hall still rehabbing from his hand injury suffered last week against Hamilton.

Eskimos running back Hugh Charles, meanwhile, will miss this week's game with an apparent hamstring injury.

Bitter rivalry - Sask and the Bombers? Think the term would better apply to Calgary Stampeders vs Sask.

Anyone else scratching their head over the schedule this week? No double-header on the LD long weekend. A Tuesday night game at Rogers Stadium in TO. What the heck was the league thinking or were they?

Ti-Cats all the way in BC tonight - Go Cats Go!

August 30, 2013 - 3:40pm

Riders R 4 Real

Hamilton will come up big. The talent is a wash, but Austin is a better coach than Bennayahoo.
Calgary will beat Edmonton in a close one in Calgary, but EE will win in Edmonton next week - especially if Charles is back.
Allouettes may pull this one out, but should be considered an underdog. Without Ray, the Argos could lose back-to-back-to-back-toback!!
Finally, the Bluebombers will do some different things and keep the game close during the first half. Peach won't make a difference, and the Riders will pull away in the 3rd qtr. We might even see Willy come out to start the 4th.

August 30, 2013 - 1:25pm

als rule

als without AC!!

August 30, 2013 - 3:42pm

als rule

prediction time: lions, stamps, BBs and alouettes this week!!

August 30, 2013 - 10:40am

DonaldE

Those are all possible, but the BB's winning sounds more like hope than logic.

August 30, 2013 - 11:15am

Riders R 4 Real

Lions, Stamps and Allouettes make sense - although I think they might all be close games.
But how do you see the BB winning? Maybe it's the same logic you used during preseason that American coaches would turn the Allouettes into champions again.

August 30, 2013 - 1:13pm

als rule

DE: YES it is hope rather then logic!! RR4R: WHAT? american coaches into champions again WHAT? oh I understand your coaching staff for the regina green roughriders are all americans just like montreal's was under HC trestman who beat you in back to back GC wins!! SMART THINKING!! LOL LOL LOL

August 30, 2013 - 3:54pm

DonaldE

Calgary just may have their hands full with Edmonton. I think Edmonton is one error away from turning the tide.
Winnipeg is a mess. Shame on Saskatchewan if they lose. There will be a big party in Winnipeg if the BB win.
BC and Hamilton - agree, this could be the game of the week, and very important to both teams.
Which Montreal team, and which Toronto team will show up? Even without Ray, I give the nod to TO.

August 30, 2013 - 10:35am

als rule

AC out MARSH MADNESS in!!

August 30, 2013 - 3:51pm

110 yards

Week 10 games:
Stamperders vs Eskimos; The Stamps looking like the best or 2nd best team in the league against the up-start Eskimos that are playing much better ball lately, should be a great game and great entertainment.
RoughRiders vs Blue Bombers; Hope fully the BBs get their act together a bit and have a good game but I really doubt that will happen, another Rider win here.
The cats fight; Also should be a GREAT game. The Cats improving and playing well lately against the Lions who seem kinda lack - luster.
Picking a Tiger-Cat win in this one and also should be great entertainment.

August 30, 2013 - 12:39am

tabbiefanmcb

I think 3 out 4 games will be great entertainment, the exception being the Rider/Bomber game unless the Bombers start to play with a desire to win. Ticats and Stamps in close games, Argos over the Larks, and likely a blowout with Riders over the Bombers.

August 30, 2013 - 1:11pm

mowich

You said the magic word - desire - something that seems to be lacking more and more on the Bomber team. Not that I place all the blame on the them considering what they have had to put up with off the field this season.

August 30, 2013 - 3:49pm

als rule

winnipeg won't be blown out sunday maybe beaten but not blown out!!

August 30, 2013 - 4:00pm

Riders R 4 Real

Yup - Winnipeg will be blown out. The Riders have dealt with a strong D-line before, which is the strength of the BB. Riders by at least 21.

August 30, 2013 - 5:53pm

110 yards

What would the point differential need to be to be considered a blow out